Island



( No Model.) 7

C. G. BLOOMER.

GAR STARTER.

No. 431,029. Patented July 1', 1-890.

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UNITED STATES PATENT ()FFICE.

CHARLES G. BLOOMER, OF PAWVTUXET, RHODE ISLAND.

CAR-STARTER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 431,029, dated July 1, 1890.

Application filed April 16, 1890. Serial No. 348,212. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES G. BLOOMER, of Pawtuxet, in the State of Rhode Island, have made certain new and useful Improve ments in Devices for Starting Street-Railway Cars; and I do hereby declare that the following specification, taken in connection with the drawings, making a part of the same, is a full, clear, and exact description thereof.

Figure 1 is a view of the bottom of a car, showing my improved devices. Fig. 2 is a vertical section of body of car, with side view of my improved devices. Fig. 3 shows position of parts in starting. Figs. 4 and 5 show the arrangement of the ratchet and pawl.

The object of my invention is to ease the strain upon the horses in starting the car; and it consists in the devices hereinafter described, by which a partial rotation is given to the forward wheels in the first instance at the moment of starting.

A variety of devices have been heretofore employed, in some of which the power re quired to stop the cars has been preserved or stored by different means to aid in again starting it, and in others the amount of strain has been distributed over a longer period by means of a spring or other graduating mechanism; but my devices do not operate upon either of the principles mentioned.

In the drawings, A, Figs. 1, 2, and 3, is the bed or bottom of the car, having underneath axles B and wheels 0, all of which are constructed in the manner and attached to the car by a means well understood. Each axle of the ,car has a fixed ratchet D midway between the wheels and a double lever E working loosely thereon, within which lever is pivoted a pawl F. The upper end of the lever E is connected by a rod G to the draw-bar H, which slides horizontally in guides I I, and is provided at its outer end with a hook J, to which the pole or whiffletree is attached. The draw-bar H, near its outer end and upon its under side, is provided with an open slot formed by a lug H or latching device, which engages with a key K, supported by a spring L and operated by the foot of the driver through a pin M, projecting above the platform. Upon the draw-bar H is also a stop N, which may be adjusted by means of. a set- ,spring L and unlocks the draw-bar H.

screw 72 to regulate the pull in starting, as hereinafter described.

The pawl F is made in an inverted-U shape, one arm of which forms a tail-piece O, which comes in contact with the stop P, the latter being supported by and adjusted in a suitable frame attached to the bottom of the car. Commencing with the parts in the position shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the driver in starting the car presses his foot upon the pin M, which overcomes the resistance of the The horses in starting pull upon the end of the lever E through the draw-bar H and rod G. The pawl F, engaging with the ratchet E, gives to the forward wheels a partial rotation, defined in extent by the distance between the stop N and the guide I, which partial rotation of the wheels communicates to the car a slight movement, which is continued and increased by the continued pull after the draw-bar has reached its outermost limit, as shown in Fig. 3. WVhenever the car is again brought to a stop, the draw-bar H will be forced back by the pressure against the horses until it reaches and is locked in its former position. In case a pole is not used, the draw-bar must be returned to its locked position by means of a spring Q. Itwill now be readily seen that the partial rotation of the wheels will slightly move or ease the car in starting, and that the dead-weight which comes upon the horses and constitutes the greatest and most injurious strain will be avoided.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. The combination, with a street-railway car, the axle of which is provided with a ratchet rigidly secured thereto, of.- a double lever upon the axle and at the sides of the ratchet, an inverted-U shaped pawl pivotally secured to the lever, one arm of which forms a tailpiece, a frame having an adjustable stop, against which said tail-piece engages, a drawbar, and a rod for connecting the free end of the lever with the draw-bar, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. The combination, with a street-railway having a lug or latching device near one end, and an adjustable stop at the other end, 10 guides for retaining the draw-bar, a springguides for retaining the draw-bar, a key for actuated key for engaging with the latching engaging with the latching device, and a pin device, and a pin for operating thekey, subfor operating the key, substantially as and 5 stantially as and for the purpose set forth. for the purpose set forth.

3. The combination, with a street-railway CHARLES G. BLOOMER. car, the axle of which is provided with a ratchet WVitnesses: and means for operating it, of a draw-bar WALTER B. VINCENT, having a lug or latching device near one end E. A. BENSON. 

